Zinc oxide sintered body and method for producing same

ABSTRACT

There is provided a platy zinc oxide sintered compact containing 0.80 wt % or less at least one first dopant element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga and In, the balance consisting essentially of ZnO and optionally at least one second dopant element selected from the group consisting of Br, Cl, F, Sn, Y, Pr, Ge, B, Sc, Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Mn, Ta, W, Cu, Ni, Cr, La, Gd, Bi, Ce, Sr and Ba, the second dopant element being optional component, wherein the (002)-plane orientation in the plate surface is 60% or more. The zinc oxide sintered compact of the present invention has excellent properties such as high orientation in addition to transparency and conductivity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of PCT/JP2015/074543 filed Aug. 28, 2015, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-180655 filed Sep. 4, 2014, the entire contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a zinc oxide sintered compact and a method for producing the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Oriented zinc oxide (ZnO) substrates having high transparency and high conductivity are expected to be substrates for optical devices including light emitting devices (such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and surface light emitting devices), and optical devices (such as solar cells and light sensors). For example, Patent Document 1 (WO2014/092165) discloses a surface emitting device including an oriented zinc oxide substrate. A zinc oxide material, having both conductivity and light transmission can be subjected to ultrafine processing without electrical charge even by a focused ion beam (FIB) process, and is expected to be used as a functional device material constituting an optical MEMS which utilizes light transmission and optical characteristics of zinc oxide.

Zinc oxide sintered compacts containing Al to orient the (002) plane of ZnO have been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 2 (WO2010/114172), Patent Document 3 (JP5168726B1), Patent Document 4 (JP4595236B1), and Patent Document 5 (JP2010-80828A)). These documents, however, do not refer to transparency, while focusing on characteristics such as conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and orientation with the intention of fabricating thermoelectric conversion elements. In these patent documents, oriented ZnO substrates are produced from only platy or spherical particles of ZnO by tape casting or orientation in the magnetic field.

Template grain growth (TGG) is known for producing an oriented sintered compact. In the TGG, template particles having shape anisotropy and matrix particles having equiaxiality are used to prepare a green compact such that the oriented template particles are dispersed in the matrix particles, and then the green compact is calcined to produce an oriented ceramic. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 (Matthew M. et. al., J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 80 [5], pp. 1181-1188 (1997)), Non-Patent Document 2 (Ender Suvaci et. al., J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 83 [8], pp. 2041-2048 (2000)), and Non-Patent Document 3 (Yunfei Chang et. al., J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 96 [5], pp. 1391-1397 (2013)) disclose the production of oriented alumina sintered bodies by TGG. Furthermore, Non-Patent Document 4 (Ender Suvaci et. al., J. Euro. Ceram. Soc., 25, pp. 1663-1673 (2005)) discloses the production of an oriented zinc oxide sintered compact by TGG.

CITATION LIST Patent Documents

-   Patent Document 1: WO2014/092165 -   Patent Document 2: WO2010/114172 -   Patent Document 3: JP5168726B1 -   Patent Document 4: JP4595236B1 -   Patent Document 5: JP2010-80828A

Non-Patent Documents

-   Non-Patent Document 1: Matthew M. et. al., J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 80     [5], pp. 1181-1188 (1997) -   Non-Patent Document 2: Ender Suvaci et. al., J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 83     [8], pp. 2041-2048 (2000) -   Non-Patent Document 3: Yunfei Chang et al., J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 96     [5], pp. 1391-1397 (2013) -   Non-Patent Document 4: Ender Suvaci et. al., J. Euro. Ceram. Soc.,     25, pp. 1663-1673 (2005) -   Non-Patent Document 5: Gui Han et. al., e-J. Surf. Sci. Nanotech.     Vol. 7 (2009) 354-357

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been found that addition of Al is desirable to impart the desired conductivity to the zinc oxide substrate but a reduced amount of Al is desirable for production of a zinc oxide substrate with high transparency. In use of only platy or spherical particles as ZnO powder and mixing of Al₂O₃ for the preparation of an oriented ZnO substrate by press shaping or tape casting, a reduced content of Al causes a decrease in the degree of orientation. It is, therefore, significantly difficult to prepare a zinc oxide sintered compact with high orientation in addition to transparency and conductivity. In this respect, the present inventors have prepared an oriented zinc oxide substrate by template grain growth (TGG) and successfully prepared a zinc oxide sintered compact having a significantly high (002)-plane orientation (60% or more, desirably 70% or more, for example 99% or more) in the plate surface even at a reduced content of Al. This method allows the resistivity of the zinc oxide sintered compact to decrease to a usable level as a conductive material, for example, less than 2×10⁻² Ω·cm or less than 2×10⁰ Ω·cm depending on the application. Furthermore, the transparency of the zinc oxide sintered compact can also be improved

The present inventors have found that there can be provided a zinc oxide sintered compact with high orientation in addition to transparency and conductivity.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a zinc oxide sintered compact with high orientation in addition to transparency and conductivity and a method for producing the sintered compact.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a platy zinc oxide sintered compact containing 0.80 wt % or less at least one first dopant element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga and In, the balance consisting essentially of ZnO and optionally at least one second dopant element selected from the group consisting of Br, Cl, F, Sn, Y, Pr, Ge, B, Sc, Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Mn, Ta, W, Cu, Ni, Cr, La, Gd, Bi, Ce, Sr and Ba, wherein the (002)-plane orientation in the plate surface is 60% or more.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing the zinc oxide sintered compact according to the first aspect, comprising the steps of:

-   -   i) providing template particles comprising ZnO and/or a         precursor thereof having shape anisotropy and functioning as a         template for promoting crystal orientation, and matrix particles         comprising ZnO and/or its precursors having an average size         smaller than or equal to the average size of the template         particles,     -   ii) mixing the template particles and the matrix particles to         yield a mixture,     -   iii) shaping the mixture into an oriented green compact, the         template particles being oriented in one direction due to the         shape anisotropy in the oriented green compact, and     -   iv) heat-treating the oriented green compact to yield a zinc         oxide sintered compact,     -   wherein prior to preparation of the oriented green compact, the         first dopant element and optionally the second dopant element         are added to or preliminarily contained in the template         particles and/or the matrix particles.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Zinc Oxide Sintered Compact

The zinc oxide sintered compact according to the present invention is a platy zinc oxide sintered compact containing 0.80 wt % or less at least one first dopant element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga and In, and the balance consisting essentially of ZnO and optionally a second dopant element. The second dopant element is at least one optional component selected from the group consisting of Br, Cl, F, Sn, Y, Pr, Ge, B, Sc, Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Mn, Ta, W, Cu, Ni, Cr, La, Gd, Bi, Ce, Sr and Ba. In this zinc oxide sintered compact, the (002)-plane orientation in the plate surface is 60% or more. That is, the first dopant element can be added to the zinc oxide sintered compact so as to impart desired conductivity, and a content of 0.8 wt % or less of the first dopant element can provides a zinc oxide sintered compact with high transparency. In this respect, as the Al content decreases, the degree of orientation decreases. As described above, however, we have successfully prepared a zinc oxide sintered compact having a significantly high (002)-plane orientation (60% or more, desirably 70% or more, for example 99% or more) in the plate surface. That is, according to the present invention, a zinc oxide sintered compact with high orientation in addition to transparency and conductivity can be achieved.

The zinc oxide sintered compact according to the present invention contains 0.80 wt % or less at least one first dopant element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga and In, and the balance consisting essentially of ZnO and optionally a second dopant element. It should be understood that the balance consisting essentially of ZnO may contain incidental impurities in addition to ZnO. The first dopant element provides a zinc oxide sintered compact with conductivity and contributes improved orientation at the same time. A particularly preferred first dopant element is Al. The content of the first dopant element is 0.80 wt % or less, preferably 0.005 to 0.80 wt %, more preferably 0.005 to 0.60 wt %, further more preferably 0.005 to 0.40 wt %, particularly preferably 0.005 to 0.30 wt %, or alternately 0.02 to 0.80 wt %, more preferably 0.02 to 0.60 wt %, particularly preferably 0.02 to 0.40 wt %, most preferably 0.02 to 0.30 wt %, of the total weight of the zinc oxide sintered compact. As the content of the first dopant element decreases, the transparency of the zinc oxide sintered compact improves. The content of the second dopant element, which is an optional component, is preferably 0.80 wt % or less, more preferably 0.60 wt % or less, still more preferably 0.40 wt % or less, particularly preferably 0.30 wt % or less of the total weight of the zinc oxide sintered compact. The lower limit of the second dopant element, if being contained, is typically 0.005 wt % or more, typically 0.01 wt % or more of the total volume of the zinc oxide sintered compact, although the limit is not critical. A zinc oxide sintered compact is a solid consisting of numerous zinc oxide crystal particles bonded to each other after sintering. The zinc oxide crystal particles are composed of zinc oxide, and the first and second dopant elements may be replaced with Zn sites or 0 sites having a hexagonal wurtzite structure, may be contained as an additional element which does not constitute the crystal structure, or may be present in the grain boundary.

In the zinc oxide based sintered compact of the present invention, the (002)-plane orientation is 60% or more, desirably 70% or more, preferably 75% or more, more preferably 85% or more, still more preferably 90% or more, particularly preferably 95% or more, particularly preferably 98% or more, most preferably 99% or more in the plate surface. As the (002)-plane orientation increases, the light transmission advantageously improves and the device characteristics also advantageously improves in the case where the functional layers for optical devices, such as GaN-based materials and ZnO-based materials, are laminated. Examples of such improved device characteristics include the luminous efficiency in a light emitting device, the power generation efficiency in a solar cell, and the detection sensitivity in a photosensor. Accordingly, the upper limit of the (002)-plane orientation is ideally 100%, although the limit is not critical. The (002)-plane orientation can be determined as follows: the XRD profile when the surface of the disco-shaped zinc oxide sintered compact is irradiated with X-rays is measured using an XRD apparatus (product name “RINT-TTR III” manufactured by Rigaku Corporation). The (002)-plane orientation can be calculated by the following expression.

$\begin{matrix} {{{(002){{Orientation}\lbrack\%\rbrack}} = {{{\frac{p - p_{0}}{1 - p_{0}}100}p_{0}} = \frac{I_{0}(002)}{{I_{0}(100)} + {I_{0}(002)} + {I_{0}(101)}}}}{p = \frac{I_{s}(002)}{{I_{s}(100)} + {I_{s}(002)} + {I_{s}(101)}}}} & \left\lbrack {{Expression}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack \end{matrix}$

where I₀ (hkl) and I_(s) (hkl) represent diffraction intensities (integrated value) from the (hkl) planes in ICDD No. 361451 and a sample, respectively.

The crystal particles constituting the zinc oxide sintered compact has an average particle size of preferably 10 μm or more, more preferably 20 μm or more, further preferably 25 to 250 μm. An average particle diameter within such a range advantageously improves light transmission. The crystal particles constituting the zinc oxide sintered compact has an aspect ratio of preferably 1.60 or less, more preferably 1.40 or less, still more preferably 1.00 to 1.20. This aspect ratio indicates the ratio of the length in the direction parallel to the plate surface of the sintered compact to the length in the direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the sintered compact. An aspect ratio within the range advantageously improves the light transmission.

In the present invention, the average particle size and the aspect ratio can be determined as follows. A sample of about 10 mm square is cut out from a disk-shaped sintered compact, and the surface perpendicular to the disk surface is polished and etched with 0.3 M nitric acid for 10 sec. An image is then taken with a scanning electron microscope. The microscopic field is determined such that any one of straight lines drawn parallel to and perpendicular to the disk surface intersects 10 to 30 particles in the field. The average of the lengths of the inner line segments of all the individual particles that three straight lines drawn parallel to the disk surface intersect is multiplied by 1.5 to give a value a₁. Similarly, the average of the lengths of the inner line segments of all the individual particles that three straight lines drawn perpendicular to the disk surface intersect is multiplied by 1.5 to give another value a₂. The ratio (a₁+a₂)/2 is defined as an average particle diameter, and the ratio a₁/a₂ is defined as an aspect ratio.

According to the present invention, the zinc oxide sintered compact, when evaluated in the form of a platy sample having a thickness of 200 μm, preferably has a total light transmittance of 20% or more, more preferably 25% or more, more preferably 30% or more, particularly preferably 35% or more over a wavelength region within the wavelength region 300 to 600 nm. Zinc oxide sintered compacts within these ranges have significantly high transparency.

According to the present invention, the zinc oxide sintered compact, when evaluated in the form of a platy sample having a thickness of 200 μm, preferably has a linear transmittance of 10% or more, more preferably 15% or more, more preferably 20% or more over a wavelength region within the wavelength region 300 to 600 nm. Zinc oxide sintered bodies within these ranges have significantly high transparency.

The zinc oxide sintered compact according to the present invention preferably has a resistivity of less than 2.0×10⁻² Ω·cm, more preferably less than 9.0×10⁻³ Ω·cm, more preferably less than 5.0×10⁻³ Ω·cm, particularly preferably less than 3.0×10⁻³ Ω·cm, most preferably less than 1.0×10⁻³ Ω·cm, but it may be less than 2×10⁰ Ω·cm, depending on the application. The zinc oxide sintered compact within these ranges has a level of conductivity sufficiently usable as a conductive material.

Method for Production

The zinc oxide sintered body according to the present invention may be produced by any method which renders the desired characteristics, but preferably produced by template grain growth (TGG). That is, as described above, addition of a dopant element such as Al is desirable for imparting desired conductivity to the zinc oxide substrate, but in order to obtain a zinc oxide substrate with high transparency, the content of the dopant element is desirably lowered. In the case, however, where zinc oxide powder having only platy particles or spherical particles is mixed with dopant elements to fabricate oriented zinc oxide substrates through press shaping or tape casting, the (002)-plane orientation decreases as the content of the dopant element (particularly Al) is reduced. It was, therefore, significantly difficult to prepare a zinc oxide sintered compact with high orientation in addition to transparency and conductivity. In this respect, the present inventors prepared an oriented zinc oxide substrate by the template grain growth (TGG) to successfully prepare a zinc oxide sintered compact having a significantly high (002)-plane orientation (70% or more, for example 99% or more) in the plate surface even if the content of a dopant element such as Al is reduced. This method allows the resistivity of the zinc oxide sintered compact to decrease to a usable level as a conductive material (for example, less than 2.0×10⁻² Ω·cm). Furthermore, the transparency of the zinc oxide sintered compact can also be improved. A preferable method of production using this TGG will now be described.

(1) Preparation of Template Particles and Matrix Particles

Prepared are template particles comprising ZnO and/or a precursor thereof having shape anisotropy and functioning as a template for promoting crystal orientation, and matrix particles comprising ZnO and/or its precursor having an average size smaller than or equal to the average size of the template particles.

(1a) Template Particles

The template particles have shape anisotropy and are composed of ZnO and/or a precursor thereof that functions as a template giving crystal orientation. The anisotropic shape indicates that the dimension in the longitudinal direction is larger than the dimension in the width direction and the thickness direction. Specific examples of the anisotropic shape preferably include a plate, a column, and a scale. Particularly preferred template particles are platy oriented ZnO crystal particles. The template particles have an average size greater than or equal to the average size of the matrix particles. For example, the template particles preferably have a volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter of 0.5 to 30 μm, more preferably 0.5 to 25 μm, further preferably 0.5 to 20 μm, particularly preferably 0.5 to 15 μm. Such a range of diameter increases the orientation of the template particles, further improves the (002)-plane orientation of the sintered compact, and facilitates preparation of a green compact with improved transparency.

Particularly preferred template particles are platy oriented ZnO crystal particles. An exemplary method of production thereof will now be described. In the first stage of the method, platy particles of a zinc oxide precursor are produced by a solution process using a zinc ion-containing stock solution. Examples of the zinc ion source include organic acid salts (such as zinc sulfate, zinc nitrate, zinc chloride, zinc acetate) and zinc alkoxides. Zinc sulfate is preferred in view of supply of sulfate ions as described later. The zinc oxide precursor platy particles can prepared by any known solution process. The stock solution preferably contains a water-soluble organic substance and sulfate ions from the viewpoint of making porous particles having an increased specific surface area. Examples of water-soluble organic substances include alcohols, polyols, ketones, polyethers, esters, carboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids, celluloses, saccharides, sulfonic acids, amino acids, and amines. More specific examples include aliphatic alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, and hexanol; aliphatic polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol, propanediol, butanediol, glycerin, poly(ethylene glycol), and poly(propylene glycol); aromatic alcohols, such as phenol, catechol, and cresol; heterocyclic alcohols, such as furfuryl alcohol; ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and acetyl acetone; ethers and polyethers, such as ethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, polyoxyalkylene ether, ethylene oxide adducts, and propylene oxide adducts; esters, such as ethyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate, and glycine ethyl esters; carboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids, and hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butanoic acid, butyric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, gluconic acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, acrylic acid, maleic acid, glyceric acid, eleostearic acid, polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymers, and salts thereof; carboxymethyl celluloses; monosaccharides, such as glucose and galactose; polysaccharides, such as sucrose, lactose, amylose, chitin, and cellulose; sulfonic acids, such as alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, alkylsulfonic acid, α-olefin sulfonic acid, polyoxyethylene alkylsulfonic acid, ligninsulfonic acid, and naphthalenesulfonic acid, and salts thereof; amino acids, such as glycine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and alanine; hydroxyamines, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and butanolamine; trimethylaminoethyl alkylamides; alkyl pyridinium sulfates; alkyl trimethyl ammonium halides; alkyl betaines; and alkyl diethylenetriaminoacetic acids. Among these water-soluble organic substances, preferred are those having at least one functional group among a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group and an amino group. Hydroxycarboxylic acids having a hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group (e.g., sodium gluconate and tartaric acid) and salts thereof are particularly preferred. The water-soluble organic substance is preferably contained in a range of about 0.001 wt % to about 10 wt % in a stock solution containing ammonia water described below. A preferred source of sulfate ions is zinc sulfate as described above. The stock solution may further contain additives such as the dopants described above. The stock solution is preferably heated to a preliminary reaction temperature of 70 to 100° C., more preferably 80 to 100° C. It is preferable that ammonia water is added to the stock solution after heating or during heating, and the stock solution containing ammonia water is maintained at 70 to 100° C. for 0.5 to 10 hr, more preferably 80 to 100° C. for 2 to 8 hr. The precursor platy particles are then heated to a calcination temperature at a heating rate of 150° C./hr or less and are calcined to prepare zinc oxide powder composed of zinc oxide platy particles. A heating rate of 150° C./hr or less probably allows the crystal face of the precursor to remain in zinc oxide during conversion from the precursor to zinc oxide, resulting in a high (002)-plane orientation of the platy particles in the compact. It is also conceivable that the bonding force between the primary particles improves and the platy particles are hardly disintegrated. The heating rate is preferably 120° C./hr or less, more preferably 100° C./hr or less, further preferably 50° C./hr or less, particularly preferably 30° C./hr or less, most preferably 15° C./hr or less. Before the calcination, the zinc oxide precursor particles are preferably washed, filtered and dried. The calcination may be carried out at any temperature leading to conversion of a precursor compound, such as zinc hydroxide, to zinc oxide. The calcination temperature is preferably 800 to 1,100° C., more preferably 850 to 1,000° C., and the platy precursor particles are held at such a calcination temperature for preferably 0 to 3 hr, more preferably 0 to 1 hour. Such a temperature holding condition can reliably convert the precursor compound, such as zinc hydroxide, to zinc oxide. Such a calcination step converts the platy precursor particles to platy zinc oxide particles having many pores. Any other known process (refer to, for example, Non-Patent Document 5 (Gui Han et. al., e-J. Surf. Sci. Nanotech. Vol. 7 (2009) 354-357)) can also be used.

(1 b) Matrix Particles

The matrix particles have a smaller or equal average particle size as the template particle and is composed of ZnO and/or its precursor. The matrix particles are equiaxially oriented particles not having shape anisotropy and/or shape anisotropic particles, typically spherical particles. Commercially available zinc oxide particles can be used without limitation. Although the matrix particles are typically non-oriented particles, they may also be oriented particles. The matrix particles preferably have a volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter of 0.05 to 1.5 μm, more preferably 0.05 to 1 μm, further preferably 0.05 to 0.8 μm, particularly preferably 0.05 to 0.5 μm.

(2) Mixing Step

The template particles and the matrix particles are mixed to prepare a mixture. In this case, the weight ratio x:y of the template particles x and the matrix particles y is preferably 0.05:99.95 to 50:50, more preferably 0.05:99.95 to 40:60, and more preferably 0.05:99.95 to 30:70. Thus, a higher weight of matrix particles is preferably used compared to template particles in the method of the present invention. In this regard, in order to prepare a highly oriented sintered compact by a general method using, for example, a tape green compact other than the TGG, it is usual to use only platy oriented crystal particles corresponding to template particles. The method of the present invention using the TGG, is characterized by use of not only template particles but also matrix particles. In particular, it is unexpectedly preferred to determine the content of the template particles having the orientation property to be lower than that of the matrix particles. Mixing is preferably carried out in a Tri-Roll mill or a pot, where various additives and dopants can be added.

Prior to the preparation of the oriented green compact in the subsequent step, it is preferred that at least one first dopant element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga and In, and optionally a second dopant element be added to the template particles and/or matrix particles, or that such dopant elements be preliminarily contained in the template particles and/or the matrix particles. The second dopant element is at least one optional component selected from Br, Cl, F, Sn, Y, Pr, Ge, B, Sc, Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Mn, Ta, W, Cu, Ni, Cr, La, Gd, Bi, Ce, Sr and Ba. Each of these first and second dopant elements may be added to the zinc oxide powder in the form of a compound or ion containing a dopant element. Preferred examples of the process of adding the dopant element-containing additive material includes, but not limited to, (1) addition of an additive substance to powdery zinc oxide in the form of a fine powder such as nanoparticles and (2) addition of zinc oxide powder after dissolving the additive substance in a solvent and then removing the solvent from the viewpoint of distribution of the additive substance to the inside of the fine pores of the zinc oxide powder. The additive substance containing a first dopant element may be added in an amount such that the final zinc oxide sintered compact has a first dopant element content of 0.80 wt % or less, more preferably 0.005 to 0.60 wt %, further preferably 0.005 to 0.40 wt %, particularly preferably 0.005 to 0.30 wt %, or alternatively more preferably 0.02 to 0.80 wt %, still more preferably 0.02 to 0.60 wt %, particularly preferably 0.02 to 0.40 wt %, most preferably 0.02 to 0.30 wt %. As the content of the first dopant element decreases, the transparency of the zinc oxide sintered compact improves. The additive substance containing a second dopant element as an optional component may be added in an amount such that the final zinc oxide sintered compact has a dopant element content of preferably 0.80 wt % or less, more preferably 0.60 wt % or less, more preferably 0.40 wt % or less, particularly preferably 0.30 wt % or less.

(3) Preparation of Oriented Green Compact

The resultant mixture is processed to orient the template particles in one direction due to shape anisotropy to prepare an oriented green compact. This process is preferably carried out by shaping the mixture into a sheet to prepare green compact sheets and laminating the green compact sheets, if desired. Slurry of the mixture is preferably shaped into the sheet in the form of a tape.

The shaping technique may be any technique that can orient the template particles in one direction due to its shape anisotropy, preferably a technique using a shearing force. Since the template particles after shaping have shape anisotropy and are typically platy particles, a shaping process under shearing force applied to platy particles, for example, tape casting or extrusion molding is preferably used to prepare the green compact, and thereby, an oriented green compact having oriented platy particles can be easily prepared. Preferred examples of techniques using shear forces include tape casting, extrusion, doctor blading, and any combination thereof. Any orientation technique using shear force described above preferably involves incorporation of additives, such as a binder, a plasticizer, a dispersant, and a dispersion medium, to the platy zinc oxide powder to form a slurry, which is passed through a narrow discharge port to be discharged into a sheet on the substrate. The discharge port has a slit width of preferably in the range of 10 to 400 μm. The amount of the dispersion medium is adjusted such that the slurry viscosity is in the range of preferably from 5,000 to 100,000 cP, more preferably from 8,000 to 60,000 cP. The green sheet has a thickness in the range of preferably from 1 to 300 μm, more preferably from 10 to 200 μm. It is preferred to laminate a plurality of green compact sheets to form a precursor laminate having a desired thickness and to press-mold the precursor laminate. The precursor laminate is packed with, for example, a vacuum pack, which is preferably press-molded by isostatic pressing at a pressure of 10 to 2,000 kgf/cm² in warm water at 50 to 95° C. If extrusion is employed, the extrusion die may be designed such that green sheets pass through thin discharge ports in the die and then are integrated into a laminate in the die, and that the laminate is discharged from the die. The resulting green compact is preferably degreased under known conditions.

(4) Preparation of Zinc Oxide Sintered Compact

The resulting oriented green compact is heated to prepare a zinc oxide sintered compact. Any heat treatment which can prepare a desired zinc oxide sintered compact may be carried out by normal pressure sintering. For example, the oriented green compact may be sintered at a sintering temperature of 1,000 to 1,500° C., preferably 1,100 to 1,450° C. The sintering time at the above sintering temperature is not critical, for example it is preferably 1 to 10 hours, more preferably 2 to 5 hours. The zinc oxide sintered compact may be subjected to a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment if necessary. This hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment is preferably carried out at 1,000 to 1,500° C. for 1 to 5 hr, more preferably 1 to 2 hr at 1,200 to 1,400° C. This HIP treatment may be applied to the zinc oxide sintered compact embedded in the zinc oxide powder, which further improves the light transmission of the zinc oxide sintered compact. In any case, the zinc oxide sintered compact prepared as described above has a high (002)-plane orientation of, specifically, 60% or more, desirably 70% or more, preferably 75% or more, more preferably 85% or more, still preferably 90% or more, particularly preferably 95% or more, particularly preferably 98% or more, most preferably 99% or more in the plate surface.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will be further described in detail with reference to the following examples.

Example 1

(1) Preparation of Platy Zinc Oxide Powder

Zinc sulfate heptahydrate (1,730 g) (manufactured by Kojundo Chemical Laboratory Co., Ltd.) and sodium gluconate (4.5 g) (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) were dissolved in deionized water (3,000 g). The solution was placed in a beaker and heated to 90° C. with stirring using a magnetic stirrer. After the solution was kept at 90° C., 25% ammonium water (490 g) was added dropwise with stirring using a micro tube pump. The mixture was kept at 90° C. with stirring for four hours and then allowed to stand. The precipitate was separated by filtration, washed with deionized water three times, and dried to yield a white powdery zinc oxide precursor. The resulting zinc oxide precursor (100 g) was placed on a zirconia setter and calcined in the air in an electric furnace to yield platy porous zinc oxide powder (65 g). The temperature program during the calcination involved heating from room temperature to 900° C. at a rate of 100° C./hr, holding at 900° C. for 30 min, and then spontaneous cooling.

(2) Preparation of Oriented Zinc Oxide Sintered Compact

The resulting platy zinc oxide powder was pulverized with a ball mill until the volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter reached 3.5 μm to prepare template particles. The resulting template particles (oriented zinc oxide plate particles, volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter: 3.5 μm) and matrix particles (zinc oxide fine particles, volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter: 0.3 μm, manufactured by Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) were mixed such that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles was 5 wt %/95 wt % to prepare a zinc oxide powder mixture. The zinc oxide powder mixture (99.75 parts by weight), θ-alumina (TAIMICRON manufactured by Taimei Chemicals Co., Ltd.) (0.25 parts by weight), a binder (poly(vinyl butyral): product number BM-2, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), a plasticizer (DOP: di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, manufactured by Kurogane Kasei Co., Ltd.), a dispersant (product name: RHEODOL SP-O 30, manufactured by Kao Corporation), and a dispersion medium (2-ethylhexanol) were mixed in a Tri-Roll mill. The content of the dispersion medium was adjusted such that the slurry viscosity was 20,000 cP. The resulting slurry was formed by doctor blading on a PET film into a sheet having a dried thickness of 20 μm. The resulting tape was cut into pieces which are laminated, placed on an aluminum plate having a thickness of 10 mm, and vacuum-packed. This vacuum pack was isostatically pressed in warm water at 85° C. under a pressure of 200 kgf/cm² to produce a disk green compact having a diameter of about 52 mm and a thickness of 1.5 mm. The green compact was placed in a degreasing furnace and degreased at 600° C. for 20 hours. The degreased compact was sintered at 1,400° C. for five hours under atmospheric pressure to prepare a disc sintered compact. The prepared sintered compact was placed in an alumina sheath having a size of 90 mm square and was subjected to hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment in Ar gas at 1,300° C. for 2 hr.

(3) Evaluation of Oriented Zinc Oxide Sintered Compact

The zinc oxide sintered compact was evaluated as follows. The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

<(002)-Plane Orientation>

The (002)-plane orientation was determined by measuring the plate surface of the disk-shaped sintered compact by XRD. Specifically, an XRD profile was measured when the surface of the disk-shaped zinc oxide sintered compact was irradiated with X-rays using an XRD apparatus (product name “RINT-TTR III” manufactured by Rigaku Corporation). The (002)-plane orientation was calculated by the following expression. The value of (002)-plane orientation in this example was 0.999.

$\begin{matrix} {{{(002){{Orientation}\lbrack\%\rbrack}} = {{{\frac{p - p_{0}}{1 - p_{0}}100}p_{0}} = \frac{I_{0}(002)}{{I_{0}(100)} + {I_{0}(002)} + {I_{0}(101)}}}}{p = \frac{I_{s}(002)}{{I_{s}(100)} + {I_{s}(002)} + {I_{s}(101)}}}} & \left\lbrack {{Expression}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack \end{matrix}$

where I₀ (hkl) and I_(s) (hkl) represent diffraction intensities (integrated value) from the (hkl) planes in ICDD No. 361451 and the sample, respectively.

<Average Particle Size>

The average particle size of the substrate was determined as follows. A sample having a size of about 10 mm square was cut out from the substrate, and the surface perpendicular to the plate surface was polished and etched with 0.3 M nitric acid for 10 sec. An image was then taken with a scanning electron microscope. The microscopic field is determined such that any one of straight lines drawn parallel to and perpendicular to the plane surface intersects 10 to 30 particles in the field. The average of the lengths of the inner line segments of all the individual particles that three straight lines drawn parallel to the disk surface intersect is multiplied by 1.5 to give a value a₁. Similarly, the average of the lengths of the inner line segments of all the individual particles that three straight lines drawn perpendicular to the disk surface intersect is multiplied by 1.5 to give another value a₂. The ratio (a₁+a₂)/2 is defined as an average particle diameter.

<Aspect Ratio>

The aspect ratio a₁/a₂ was calculated from the a₁ and a₂ used for the determination of the average particle size of the substrate.

<Resistivity>

The resistivity of the substrate was measured by a four-probe method with a resistivity meter (Loresta GP, MCP-T610, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation).

<Measurement of Total Light Transmittance>

The total light transmittance of the substrate was measured with a spectrophotometer (Lambda 900, manufactured by Perkin Elmer, Inc.).

<Measurement of Linear Transmittance>

The linear transmittance of the substrate was measured with a spectrophotometer (Lambda 900, manufactured by Perkin Elmer, Inc.).

<Measurement of Content of Dopant Element>

The content of the dopant element in the zinc oxide sintered compact was measured by ICP (inductively coupled plasma) emission spectroscopy.

Example 2

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 20 wt %/80 wt %. The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 3

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that hexagonal platy zinc oxide particles (volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter: 0.8 μm) prepared as a template particle by the procedure described below were used, the ratio of template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 5 wt %/95 wt %, and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Template particles were prepared as follows: Deionized water and an aqueous 0.10 M hexamethylenetetramine (hereinafter referred to as HMT) solution were added to a solution of 0.10 M sodium di-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (hereinafter referred to as AOT) in 1-butanol to prepare a microemulsion. An aqueous 0.10 M solution of Zn (NO₃)₂ was then added to the microemulsion and stirred for mixing. The resulting mixture was gradually heated to 75° C. and kept at this temperature for 3 to 4 hr. The precipitate was separated by filtration and dried to yield hexagonal platy zinc oxide particles.

Example 4

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the platy zinc oxide powder prepared in Example 1 was pulverized with a ball mill until the volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter reached 5.0 μm to be used as template particles, the ratio of template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 5 wt %/95 wt %, and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 5

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 5 wt %/95 wt % and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.0/1.0 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 6

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 5 wt %/95 wt % and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 98.5/1.5 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 7

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 0.1 wt %/99.9 wt % and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 8

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 45 wt %/55 wt % and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 9

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that zinc oxide particles (the volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter: 15 μm) prepared as the template by the procedure described below were used, the ratio of template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 5 wt %/95 wt %, and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Template particles were prepared as follows. To 100 parts by weight of the platy zinc oxide powder prepared in Example 1 (1) were added 15 parts by weight of a binder (poly(vinyl butyral): product number BM-2, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 6.2 parts by weight of a plasticizer (DOP: di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, manufactured by Kurogane Kasei Co., Ltd.), 3 parts by weight of a dispersant (product name: RHEODOL SP-030, manufactured by Kao Corporation) and a dispersion medium (2-ethylhexanol), resulting in a mixture. The content of the dispersion medium was adjusted such that the slurry viscosity was 10,000 cP. The slurry was formed into a sheet on a PET film by doctor blading such that the thickness after drying was 5 μm. The resulting tape was cut to produce a green compact of about 100 mm×about 100 mm square, which was then placed in a degreasing furnace and degreased at 600° C. for 20 hr. The degreased compact was sintered at normal pressure under atmospheric conditions at 1400° C. for 5 hr to prepare a sintered compact. The sintered compact was pulverized by a ball mill until the volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter reached 15 μm to yield template particles.

Example 10

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 5 wt %/95 wt % and the amount of added zinc oxide powder is 100 parts by weight without addition of θ-alumina. The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 11

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 5 wt %/95 wt % and gallium oxide (commercially available) was replaced with θ-alumina such that the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/gallium oxide is 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 12

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 5 wt %/95 wt % and indium oxide (commercially available) was replaced with θ-alumina such that the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/gallium oxide is 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight).

The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 13

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that zinc oxide type I (manufactured by Seido Chemical Industry, LTD, the volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter: 0.8 μm) was used as matrix particles. The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 14 (Comparative)

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the template particles (volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter: 3.5 μm) prepared in Example 1 was used alone (i.e., zinc oxide powder of 100 wt % template particles) in place of the zinc oxide mixed powder in Example 1 and the ratio of zinc oxide powder/θ-alumina was 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 15 (Comparative)

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the template particles (volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter: 3.5 μm) prepared in Example 1 was used alone (i.e., zinc oxide powder of 100 wt % template particles) in place of the zinc oxide mixed powder in Example 1 and the ratio of zinc oxide powder/θ-alumina was 98.5/1.5 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 16 (Comparative)

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 70 wt %/30 wt % and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 17 (Comparative)

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 0.01 wt %/99.99 wt % and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.8/0.2 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 18 (Comparative)

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 5 wt %/95 wt % and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 98.0/2.0 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 19 (Comparative)

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of the template particles/matrix particles in the zinc oxide mixed powder was 20 wt %/80 wt % and the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 98.0/2.0 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 20 (Comparative)

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the template particles (volume-based D₅₀ median particle diameter: 3.5 μm) prepared in Example 1 was used alone (i.e., zinc oxide powder of 100 wt % template particles) in place of the zinc oxide mixed powder in Example 1 and the ratio of zinc oxide powder/θ-alumina was 98.0/2.0 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 1A and 1B.

Example 21

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.98/0.025 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 2A and 2B.

Example 22

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was 99.99/0.0125 (in parts by weight). The results are shown in Tables 2A and 2B.

Example 23

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment was applied to the sintered compact embedded in the zinc oxide powder. The results are shown in Tables 2A and 2B.

Example 24

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 21 except that the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment was applied to the sintered compact embedded in the zinc oxide powder. The results are shown in Tables 2A and 2B.

Example 25

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 22 except that the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment was applied to the sintered compact embedded in the zinc oxide powder. The results are shown in Tables 2A and 2B.

Example 26

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was adjusted to 99.92/0.025 (in parts by weight), Y₂O₃ (0.055 parts by weight) was further added, and the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment was applied to the sintered compact embedded in the zinc oxide powder. The results are shown in Tables 2A and 2B.

Example 27

A sintered compact was prepared and evaluated as in Example 1 except that the ratio of zinc oxide mixed powder/θ-alumina was adjusted to 99.93/0.025 (in parts by weight), Ga₂O₃ (0.046 parts by weight) was further added, and the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment was applied to the sintered compact embedded in the zinc oxide powder. The results are shown in Tables 2A and 2B.

TABLE 1A Weight Median ratio of particle Median First zinc diameter particle dopant oxide D₅₀ of diameter D₅₀ (002)- element powder template of matrix plane Composition content template/ particles particles orientation (wt %) (wt %) matrix (μm) (μm) (%) Ex.1 99.75ZnO-0.25Al₂O₃ 0.13 5/95 3.5 0.3 99 Ex.2 99.75ZnO-0.25Al₂O₃ 0.13 20/80  3.5 0.3 98 Ex.3 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 0.11 5/95 0.8 0.3 97 Ex.4 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 0.11 5/95 5.0 0.3 99 Ex.5 99.0ZnO-1.0Al₂O₃ 0.53 5/95 3.5 0.3 99 Ex.6 98.5ZnO-1.5Al₂O₃ 0.79 5/95 3.5 0.3 99 Ex.7 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 0.12 0.1/99.9 3.5 0.3 75 Ex.8 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 0.11 45/55  3.5 0.3 80 Ex.9 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 0.10 5/95 15 0.3 87 Ex.10 100.0ZnO Al:1 ppm 5/95 3.5 0.3 96 Ex.11 99.8ZnO-0.2Ga₂O₃ 0.15 5/95 3.5 0.3 99 Ex.12 99.8ZnO-0.2In₂O₃ 0.17 5/95 3.5 0.3 99 Ex.13 99.75ZnO-0.25Al₂O₃ 0.14 5/95 3.5 0.8 92 Ex.14* 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 0.11 100/0   3.5 — 8 Ex.15* 98.5ZnO-1.5Al₂O₃ 0.78 100/0   3.5 — 58 Ex.16* 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 0.12 70/30  3.5 0.3 38 Ex.17* 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 0.11 0.01/99.99 3.5 0.3 13 Ex.18* 98ZnO-2Al₂O₃ 1.07 5/95 3.5 0.3 99 Ex.19* 98ZnO-2Al₂O₃ 1.05 20/80  3.5 0.3 99 Ex.20* 98ZnO-2Al₂O₃ 1.06 100/0   3.5 — 89 *Indicates a comparative example.

TABLE 1B Total Linear Average transmittance transmittance particle Composition Resistivity (%) at (%) at size Aspect (wt %) (Ω · cm) 450 nm 450 nm (μm) ratio Ex.1 99.75ZnO-0.25Al₂O₃ 7.9 × 10⁻⁴ 38 20 35 1.09 Ex.2 99.75ZnO-0.25Al₂O₃ 9.5 × 10⁻⁴ 35 19 30 1.09 Ex.3 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 2.8 × 10⁻³ 40 23 38 1.05 Ex.4 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 1.5 × 10⁻³ 37 18 34 1.17 Ex.5 99.0ZnO-1.0Al₂O₃ 5.1 × 10⁻⁴ 29 11 17 1.39 Ex.6 98.5ZnO-1.5Al₂O₃ 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ 26 8 15 1.31 Ex.7 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 4.7 × 10⁻³ 33 21 41 1.08 Ex.8 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 2.2 × 10⁻³ 28 12 12 1.48 Ex.9 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 3.2 × 10⁻³ 37 12 21 1.33 Ex.10 100.0ZnO 7.8 × 10⁻² 34 21 43 1.02 Ex.11 99.8ZnO-0.2Ga₂O₃ 1.1 × 10⁻³ 36 19 33 1.12 Ex.12 99.8ZnO-0.2In₂O₃ 9.8 × 10⁻⁴ 37 18 34 1.11 Ex.13 99.75ZnO-0.25Al₂O₃ 8.9 × 10⁻⁴ 31 15 29 1.09 Ex.14* 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 1.8 × 10⁻³ 24 10 21 1.36 Ex.15* 98.5ZnO-1.5Al₂O₃ 5.3 × 10⁻⁴ 28 7 14 1.46 Ex.16* 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 2.2 × 10⁻³ 26 9 24 1.31 Ex.17* 99.8ZnO-0.2Al₂O₃ 3.7 × 10⁻³ 25 13 26 1.27 Ex.18* 98ZnO-2Al₂O₃ 1.8 × 10⁻⁴ 16 4 10 1.51 Ex.19* 98ZnO-2Al₂O₃ 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ 17 5 9 1.71 Ex.20* 98ZnO-2Al₂O₃ 5.8 × 10⁻⁴ 15 2 7 1.81 *Indicates a comparative example.

TABLE 2A Median Median Weight particle particle First Second ratio of diameter diameter dopant dopant zinc oxide D₅₀ of D₅₀ (002)- element element powder template of matrix plane Composition content content template/ particles particles orientation (wt % or weight ratio) (wt %) (wt %) matrix (μm) (μm) (%) Ex.21 99.98ZnO-0.025Al₂O₃ 0.013 — 5/95 3.5 0.3 86 Ex.22 99.99ZnO-0.0125Al₂O₃ 65 ppm — 5/95 3.5 0.3 67 Ex.23 99.75ZnO-0.25Al₂O₃ 0.13 — 5/95 3.5 0.3 99 Ex.24 99.98ZnO-0.025Al₂O₃ 0.013 — 5/95 3.5 0.3 93 Ex.25 99.99ZnO-0.0125Al₂O₃ 65 ppm — 5/95 3.5 0.3 76 Ex.26 99.92ZnO-0.025Al₂O₃-0.055Y₂O₃ 0.013 Y: 5/95 3.5 0.3 81 0.043 Ex.27 99.93ZnO-0.025Al₂O₃-0.046Ga₂O₃ 0.013 Ga: 5/95 3.5 0.3 99 0.034

TABLE 2B Total Linear Average Resis- transmittance transmittance particle Composition tivity (%) at (%) at size Aspect (wt % or weight ratio) (Ω · cm) 450 nm 450 nm (μm) ratio Ex.21 99.98ZnO-0.025Al₂O₃ 8.2 × 10⁻³ 44 25 38 1.07 Ex.22 99.99ZnO-0.0125Al₂O₃ 2.4 × 10⁻² 48 29 40 1.05 Ex.23 99.75ZnO-0.25Al₂O₃ 3.9 × 10⁻³ 58 34 28 1.14 Ex.24 99.98ZnO-0.025Al₂O₃ 1.2 × 10⁻¹ 63 39 30 1.15 Ex.25 99.99ZnO-0.0125Al₂O₃ 1.3 × 10⁰ 68 41 40 1.05 Ex.26 99.92ZnO-0.025Al₂O₃-0.055Y₂O₃ 8.5 × 10⁻² 60 37 34 1.12 Ex.27 99.93ZnO-0.025Al₂O₃-0.046Ga₂O₃ 5.7 × 10⁻² 61 37 36 1.11 

What is claimed is:
 1. A platy zinc oxide sintered compact containing 0.80 wt % or less at least one first dopant element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga and In, the balance consisting essentially of ZnO and optionally at least one second dopant element selected from the group consisting of Br, Cl, F, Sn, Y, Pr, Ge, B, Sc, Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Mn, Ta, W, Cu, Ni, Cr, La, Gd, Bi, Ce, Sr and Ba, wherein the (002)-plane orientation in the plate surface is 60% or more.
 2. The zinc oxide sintered compound according to claim 1, wherein the (002)-plane orientation is 70% or more.
 3. The zinc oxide sintered compound according to claim 1, wherein the (002)-plane orientation is 85% or more.
 4. The zinc oxide sintered compact according to claim 1, having a resistivity of less than 2.0×10⁻² Ω·cm.
 5. The zinc oxide sintered compact according to claim 1, wherein the zinc oxide sintered compact, when evaluated in the form of a plate-shaped sample having a thickness of 200 μm, has a total light transmittance of 20% or more over a wavelength region within the wavelength region 300 to 600 nm.
 6. The zinc oxide sintered compact according to claim 1, wherein the zinc oxide sintered compact, when evaluated in the form of a plate-shaped sample having a thickness of 200 μm, has a linear transmittance of 10% or more over a wavelength region within the wavelength region 300 to 600 nm.
 7. The zinc oxide sintered compact according to claim 1, wherein crystal particles constituting the zinc oxide sintered compact has an average particle size of 20 μm or more and an aspect ratio of 1.40 or less.
 8. The zinc oxide sintered compact according to claim 1, wherein the content of the first dopant element is 0.005 to 0.80 wt %.
 9. The zinc oxide sintered compact according to claim 1, wherein the content of the first dopant element is 0.02 to 0.80 wt %.
 10. The zinc oxide sintered compact according to claim 1, wherein the first dopant element is Al.
 11. A method for producing the zinc oxide sintered compact according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: i) providing template particles comprising ZnO and/or a precursor thereof having shape anisotropy and functioning as a template for promoting crystal orientation, and matrix particles comprising ZnO and/or its precursor having an average size smaller than or equal to the average size of the template particles, ii) mixing the template particles and the matrix particles to yield a mixture, iii) shaping the mixture into an oriented green compact, the template particles being oriented in one direction due to the shape anisotropy in the oriented green compact, and iv) heat-treating the oriented green compact to yield a zinc oxide sintered compact, wherein prior to preparation of the oriented green compact, the first dopant element and optionally the second dopant element are added to or preliminarily contained in the template particles and/or the matrix particles.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the template particles are platy oriented ZnO crystal particles.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the weight ratio x:y of the template particles x and the matrix particles y in the mixing step is 0.05:99.95 to 50:50.
 14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the template particles have a volume-based D₅₀ median particle size of from 0.5 to 30 μm.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the matrix particles have a volume-based D₅₀ median particle size of from 0.05 to 1.5 μm.
 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein step iii) comprises shaping the mixture into a sheet to prepare green compact sheets and optionally laminating the green compact sheets.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the shaping of the mixture into the sheet comprises slurrying the mixture and then subjecting the mixture to tape casting.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the green compact sheet has a thickness of 1 to 300 μm.
 19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of subjecting the zinc oxide sintered compact to a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment, wherein the treatment is applied to the zinc oxide sintered compact embedded in the zinc oxide powder. 